Thursday's Trends and Indexes - 7/14 ( MLB, WNBA, CFL, Misc.)

[Udog]

CFL
Write-Up


Week 3

Calgary (1-1) @ Winnipeg (2-0)-- Calgary split pair of 2-point decisions to open season; they beat Bombers twice LY, 23-20/35-32. Winnipeg is 2-0 after allowing 16 points in each of first two games. Favorites covered three of four last week, after 4-0 opening weekend for dogs; over is 4-4 this season, going 2-2 both weeks.

[Udog]

Thursday's six-pack

Preview of football season in the SEC East

-- Florida-- New coach now; covered 23 of last 29 non-SEC games, won last three bowls, all by 10+ points. Covered seven of last nine a dog.

-- Georgia-- Big year for Richt, who is 14-12 SU last two years, and 15-23 vs spread in last 38 games as home favorite. Won four of last five bowls, losing LY with freshman QB, who had 24 TD passes, 8 INT.

-- Kentucky-- Lost 75% of total yards from LY's offense; are 8-13 vs spread in games after last 21 losses. Were 0-4 as road dog LY; Wildcats were 21-16 as road dog from '01-'09. Miss coach Brooks.

-- South Carolina-- Have quality senior QB whose numerous off-field problems threaten his role as team leader. Are 17-11 in last 28 games as favorite, but have worst special teams in the conference.

-- Tennessee-- First time in four years they'll have the same coach two years in row. 18-20 SU last three years, but have covered 10 of last 14 as an underdog. Only four senior starters, tied for lowest in country.

-- Vanderbilt-- Covered one of last nine as home dog. Losing Johnson as HC was big blow for this program. Were 1-4 as road dog LY, after long 20-5-1 spread run when getting points away from home.


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Thursday's Den: American League first half report cards

Orioles— Highly touted young pitchers haven’t panned out; they’re in over their heads in toughest division in MLB. Frustration bubbled over in Fenway this weekend. Grade: D

Boston— At some point, they need a better shortstop. Crawford’s been terrible, then when he started perking up a little, he tweaked his hammy. What do you want for $20M a year?Beckett'sbalky leg is now a concern. Grade: B+

White Sox— Humber has been pleasant surprise; Peavy has been either hurt or bad. Have been decent on road, but are only 21-25 at home. Grade: C-
Cleveland— Have been starting Hannahan/Buck much of season, two guys the A’s didn’t want. Tomlin has been a savior on the mound. No one saw this coming. Grade: A
Detroit— Verlander has been awesome, but rest of pitchers have been so bad they canned the pitching coach. Slim lead in weak division. Grade: B-

Royals— Some of the highly touted youngsters are in the lineup now, but team still loses a lot. When your setup guy is the team’s All-Star rep, its not good news. Grade: D

Angels— Wells has been an expensive bust, but team has been hot since he got healthy, winning 19 of last 25 games. Lot of smurfs in lineup. Walden has closed well enough. Grade: B+

Twins— Were 17-37 on June 1, are 24-11 since, but hole they dug is probably too deep to get out of. Need Morneau/Mauer healthy at same time. Grade: C-

Bronx – Sabathia/Granderson have been terrific. Team went 14-4 with fading star Jeter on DL. Still have a hole at DH, and could use another setup guy. We all should have such problems. Grade: B+

Oakland— I’ve been an A’s fan since 1965-- this has been the most depressing season; how a team with starting pitchers this good can be so awful is beyond me. Can't hit + can't field= can't win.Grade: F

Seattle— Have actually scored less runs than the A’s, but King Felix/Pineda are potent pitching combo and Vargas/Fister have been tough, too. Could contend with more hitting. Grade: C+

Rays— How is this team contending? Expectation of success exists, which helps. Much credit to manager Maddon. Need much better second half from Longoria to stay in contention. Grade: A-

Texas— 31-18 at home, 20-23 on road; their +53 scoring margin is 3rd in AL, behind Bronx (+121) and Boston (+111). Should be excellent race with Angels for AL West title. Grade: B+

Toronto-- Stuck in tough division. 26-25 on road, but only 19-22 at home. Bautista is game’s best hitter right now. Romero is solid starter. Should be pushing for realignment. Grade: B-

[Udog]

CFL


Week 3

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Canadian bacon: CFL Week 3 betting preview and picks
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Friday, July 15

Toronto Argonauts at Montreal Alouettes (-10.5, 53.5)

Anthony Calvillo is about to become the all-time leader for touchdown passes in the CFL, which will likely occur at home this week against the Argos. Last week in Regina, he tied Damon Allen and connected for five scores in a win over Saskatchewan.

The Alouettes are 2-0 and their offense is already in top gear. The defense, despite a few letdowns in the third quarter, is capable of stopping its opponents when it mattered, in bend-but-don’t-break fashion. Special teams, however, are still a problem for the Als and that could give room for the explosive Chad Owens to make his presence felt.

Nonetheless, we can’t see how the Argos, led by the erratic Cleo Lemon, can really manage to slow down Montreal - especially not at Percival-Molson Stadium.

As usual, the Toronto defense will hold on in the first half before surrendering out of exhaustion in the last 30 minutes. Calvillo has way too many tools available to be shut down.

Pick: Alouettes



Saturday, July 16

Saskatchewan Roughriders at Hamilton Tiger-Cats (-2.5, 51.5)

Here are two teams that have potential but found ways to lose their first two games of 2011. In the case of the Riders, both losses were inflicted in front of their diehard fans at Mosaic Field in Regina.

Of course, these Roughriders lost a few key players (namely Andy Fantusz) but have had the Tiger-Cats’ number in recent history, winning with comfortable margins in both of their showdowns last year. In fact, Saskatchewan has emerged the winner in nine of its last 10 meetings with Hamilton.

Bettors can expect a high-scoring game since the over has paid in nine of the last 12 contests between these squads. The over 51.5 is probably the safest bet for this one, even if Saskatchewan will probably leave Hamilton with its first win of the year.

Pick: Saskatchewan


B.C. Lions at Edmonton Eskimos (-2.5, 54)

The Eskimos won their first two games of the season, despite having 21 new players in their 42-man roster. Last year, Edmonton beat B.C. in two of their three matchups.

The injury to DB Stanley Franks last week will weaken the Lions defense. Edmonton RB Fred Stamps has been really hot, with 212 rushing yards on only 10 carries. The Eskimos defense gave up just 10 points against the Tiger-Cats last week. The previous week, it forced four turnovers in a win over the Riders in Regina.

Like the Stampeders, the Lions lost their first two games of the year and are already in a must-win situation. Fortunately for Wally Buono’s men, the Eskimos are depleted by injuries on both offense and defense. Running back Arkee Whitlock is out this week and so are LB Rod Davis and DT Etienne Legare.

Pick: Lions


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